As the new year gets underway, we look back on 2021 in what was another groundbreaking year for Ventile. With a number of notable achievements, as well as further records for sales, it was certainly another fruitful year.

Eco 420/Eco 430 Launch

The year saw the production of five new fabric types, including Ventile Eco 420 & Eco 430 – the newest additions to the Ventile Eco family. Made from 100% recycled cotton, Eco 420 & Eco 430 are produced with a heavier-weight contrasting-weave, making them substantially different from anything we have produced before. The inspiration for the fabric came from a desire to challenge what is possible with coarse recycled yarns. The result? A woven, textured fabric made from a contrasting weave and weft, offering perfect options for shoes, bags, and jackets.

Dr. Martens Collaboration

On the partner front, the year saw multiple brand collaborations, including the partnership with the iconic British footwear brand Dr. Martens. The move saw the production of the limited edition 1460 Panel Boot, as part of Dr. Martens’ ‘Made in England’ range. Utilising the best-selling Ventile L24 fabric in Blaze Orange and Black, Dr. Martens selected Ventile as the fabric of choice. Combining the finest craftsmanship of the Dr. Martens’ Northamptonshire-based factory with traditional age-old shoe-making techniques resulted in the 1460 Panel Boot, offering customers the opportunity to buy a piece of textiles history.

Move to PFC-free

In what was the pinnacle of 2021 for Ventile, we made the historic move of going PFC-free. It has been at the top of our agenda over recent years, as we strive to ensure we continue to drive sustainability within the textiles industry. Recent developments in fabric technology have given us the ability to move away from the use of PFCs which are known to result in an unnecessary environmental cost. Behind the scenes, an incredible amount of research and work was undertaken alongside scientists, textile experts, and dye houses to find a replacement that didn’t compromise the quality of the fabric. The result was the creation of our new PFC-free DWR, which is the industry’s first renewably sourced water repellent treatment of its kind, containing 63% renewably sourced content derived from a variety of plant-based sources.

Results

We are pleased to announce that 2021 marked a record-breaking year for sales with a 75% increase for the brand. In addition, our sustainably sourced fabric saw a 203% growth from January – December 2021 vs the same period in 2020, with our Eco range now accounting for 51% of total sales. Out of our top selling lines, five now come from this range.

One final point from our Marketing Manager Daniel Odermatt

“Last year was momentous for Ventile, with standout achievements including further fabric innovations, prestigious brand partnerships, and record-breaking sales figures. As the slow fashion movement gains further momentum, Ventile continues to grow and is well-positioned for another strong year. With plenty of exciting plans in the pipeline, 2022 promises to be a year of further opportunities for both Ventile and the sustainable textile industry as a whole, and I can’t wait to build upon our hard work in 2021 as we move into 2022.“

From extensions to our fabric ranges, to further partner collaborations, and of course the ground-breaking move to PFC-free, it has certainly been a year of fond memories for Ventile. Looking ahead, the continued growth of Ventile as a brand, coupled with the rapidly increasing appetite for sustainable fashion, means we can look forward to 2022 with a spring in our step and lots of exciting plans in the works.